A spectacular David Adler estate has been chosen as the 2013 Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens. The early 20th-century architect David Adler was responsible for many grand estates, but perhaps none was so well executed as this Italianate mansion on the shores of Lake Michigan.

Adler built this Italian Villa for Charles & Frances Pike in 1916. The 15,000 square foot villa enjoys an intricately paved courtyard entry, spacious entertaining rooms, magnificent gardens originally designed by Ralph Rodney Root, and a look that is positively spot-on Italian.

The courtyard is one of Adler's most successfully designed. He paved it with a variety of stones from the beach front. At the center of the courtyard is the design of Adler's star.

The interior is simple and concise. The gallery is fifty feet long with Tuscan columns and a fifteen-foot ceiling. The living and dining room are wonderful examples of Adler’s love of symmetry. The upstairs hosts 6 bedrooms as well as servant quarters. The sunken garden was planned with the help of landscape Architect Ralph Rodney Root. This is one of the grandest of Adler's lake front gardens. The walkout lower level was used for lavish entertaining.

Widely recognized as one of the top Showhouses in the country and the premier Showhouse in the Midwest, over the past 27 years this event has raised more than $2.75 million dollars to provide medical services to Chicago’s working poor. All proceeds from the Showhouse will help to fund the Angel Harvey Infant Welfare Society of Chicago Community Health Center, located in the Logan Square community.